Here's where we are on cap status. Using JLC's preliminary info on the Samuels contract, I have us at $6.1 million of cap room (pending a better number from CC).

We will gain another $2.0 million when the Daniels contract voids. We will gain another $2.0 million or so when the Griffin restructure goes through. This will bring us to roughly $10.0 million in space entering free agency.

So the question is: What can you do with $10.0 million. Apparently more than I originally thought. When I first analyzed it, I thought the 30% Rule would be more limiting when it comes to restructuring options. Based on the cap space the Redskins were able to clear on the Carter, Randle El and Samuels contracts, it has become clear to me that they have devised a contract structure to fit big contracts into small cap spaces, despite the 30% Rule. I wish I could say I knew how they are doing this, I'll have to get to work on it.

All this is to say that resigning DeAngelo Hall probably won't take up $4.5 million in space, as I had thought. I also think my estimated target for the rookie pool is high, with only 4 picks in the draft, it should be closer to $2.5 million (rather than my previously projected $3.5). And since it appears they won't tender Doughty as I had expected, I'm starting to think a Haynesworth deal could actually fit under the cap, even with DeAngelo Hall being resigned.

Haynesworth and Hall would make the cap situation pretty darn tight, but after this further review I can no longer rule it out as possible.

I recognize this represents a revision from my previous line of reasoning and goes against previous posts where I've poo pooed the Haynesworth possibility, but I'd rather stop and evaluate it to get it right.

So my new conclusion, the cap situation is tight for a major signing like Haynesworth, but it's not an impossibility. I think if you hear that the Redskins do even more to clear cap space, besides restructuring Griffin, it's a good indicator that a major signing is afoot. Stay tuned.

I heard Suisham got a 1.0 mil tender today, which should knock 0.6 off that total. Then there will be a 1.5 allotment for each of the RFA DTs, knocking another 2.3 off the total.

Nothing for Evans, who looks to be moving on, but I'm thinking some creative cap work could get Canty in here as well as Hall and Haynesworth. Wouldn't recommend it though, as it's too many eggs in the "no cap in 2010" basket.

__________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

I think we're looking at 14 million in cap room. How much of this will be allocated to our RFAs and/or re-signings (non-Hall)?

And I'm guessing Snyder found out about this cap increase, and then immediately went after Albert Haynesworth.

I still think we'll need to create more space to sign Al cuz Tampa could conceivably throw close to $20 mill at him after the house-cleaning we witnessed today. Springs will have to go, which I'm fine with. Don't get me wrong I'm not a fan of signing Al; however, as it looks now (didn't look this way yesterday) that we can sign him and keep JT I think our defense will be f@ck%ng sick this year.

I still think we'll need to create more space to sign Al cuz Tampa could conceivably throw close to $20 mill at him after the house-cleaning we witnessed today. Springs will have to go, which I'm fine with. Don't get me wrong I'm not a fan of signing Al; however, as it looks now (didn't look this way yesterday) that we can sign him and keep JT I think our defense will be f@ck%ng sick this year.

... man things are starting to move fast now.

$20 per year doesn't mean $20 in 2009 though, it means like $7-8 in 2009.

__________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

$20 per year doesn't mean $20 in 2009 though, it means like $7-8 in 2009.

Help me through this... been reading some articles today that say TB is so far below the floor they need to throw a ton of money somewhere and a massive front-loaded(?) contract for big Al made the most sense. What stops them from doing this in order to get the guy they want?

- Forecasted cap space after my projected signings: $2.1 million. So we could fit a Canty in there as well.

No FA signings to help the o-line or OLB? I just think that forces us to rely very heavily on the draft i.e. basically getting two starters in the 1st and 2nd or 1st and 3rd rounds? I like the idea but man that requires our FO to do much better scouting than we've shown in a long time.

Help me through this... been reading some articles today that say TB is so far below the floor they need to throw a ton of money somewhere and a massive front-loaded(?) contract for big Al made the most sense. What stops them from doing this in order to get the guy they want?

Nothing is more front-loaded than a signing bonus, from the player's perspective. The Bucs can do something ridiculous and give him a 40 million dollar roster bonus payable in 2009, and the Skins could match with their own 40 million SB, which gets prorated over the first 5 years of the deal.

Except because they are the Redskins, they'd structure it so he gets $20 million in 2009 and $20 million in 2010, both bonuses, fully guaranteed. The net cap result in 2009 is 4 million prorated SB plus his salary (likely 2-3 million). Albert gets 40 million to spend, the Skins put it on the books as six million.

Meanwhile, Tampa has it on the books as 40 million in 2009 (in this pie in the sky scenario).

Haynesworth sees it as the same money, and signs where he wants to play (in this case, here).

__________________ according to a source with knowledge of the situation.